by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
I want to be adventurous. I really do.
I look at my friends and wish I could live vicariously through them but the truth is, my idea of adventure is trying a new latte flavor at Starbucks. Sad, I know.
Today I asked the Barista to create a short Toasted Graham Latte instead of my normal Skinny Vanilla Latte. I knew I was in trouble (Weight Watchers point-wise) when she swirled a bit of whip cream on top and sprinkled tiny bits of graham cracker on top, but I gulped it down took one for the team, and let me just say…it was worth every single point. Yum to the max, my friend!
Fall is the perfect season for us to venture out — turning onto an unknown back road, taking up a new hobby, or going to a place we’ve always wanted to visit but haven’t. Or, for the more adventurous at heart, trying a new Fall flavor latte at Starbucks. 🙂
Now there’s no way I could tempt you with such a delight without offering an opportunity to win a cup of your own, so simply fill in the blank below via the comment section, and you’ll be signed up for a random drawing being held Wednesday, October 14th.
(If you’re not a Google user and it shows as Anonymous, please FB message me or email me via the button on my side bar so I’ll have your address if you’re the winner!)
Just one more way to love, love, love this spectacular season.
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
You know the old adage:
The way to a man’s heart is
through his stomach.
Thankfully for me, the way to Brian’s heart wasn’t through food but a solid friendship and a goofy sense of humor.
Still, a girl needs to cook, even the empty-nester type, like myself. As you may know from past posts, I’ve been doing Weight Watchers since April. I’m learning that healthier food doesn’t have to look or taste all that different. Take this classic Fall dessert, Apple Crisp, for instance:
Ingredients:
-
5 medium fresh peeled apple slice(s)
{I used Honeycrisp}
-
3 tsp sugar
-
2 Tbsp packed brown sugar
-
2 Tbsp regular butter
-
3/4 cup(s) uncooked oatmeal
-
1/4 cup(s) all-purpose flour
-
1 tsp ground cinnamon
-
2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
Instructions:
- Arrange sliced, peeled apples in 11×7 baking dish sprayed with
cooking spray. Combine all other ingredients together to form crumbs,
scatter evenly over the top. Bake at 350 for 30 min. DELICIOUS!
Serves 6, at 5 points+ per plentiful serving. Top with Fat Free Whipped Topping for 0 points. Yes, life is good.
— recipe posted by Laura, Fairfax VA, Weight Watchers site, 2013
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
Is anything more awe-stirring than an Autumn evening?
Moonlit skies ripe with vibrant stars, crisp light winds brisk enough to warrant warm sweaters and soft scarves.
So bundle up and head outdoors. Lay in the bed of your truck or spread out your blanket on a soft patch of grass. Look up! Gaze and marvel at the wonder God has created.
Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who
brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by
name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is
missing. Isaiah 40:26
As you point towards all the different stars, remember this…God calls each by name.
“The beloved of the Lord dwells in safety.”
Deuteronomy 33:12
“Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.”
Psalm 17:8
“… but I have called you friends…”
John 15:15
Before heading inside for a cup of cocoa, let us consider the names that the God of the universe calls us. Is there anything more personal? Spend a few moments thanking Him for desiring—pursuing—such a personal relationship with you.
The above are just three names of many but is there one that resonates with you more today? Please share in the comment section.
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
Grandchildren heading your way on one of these beautiful Fall evenings?
If so, here are some fun ideas to make the most of the season, and your time with the next generation.
Pile On! Rake a heapin’ pile of leaves on a grassy area of your lawn. No rules required. It seems like children instinctively know that if there’s a pile of leaves before them, they must jump.
Enjoy a Picnic. Simplicity is the key. Pack up peanut butter and honey sandwiches, cheese sticks, fruit, and juice boxes. Throw out a blanket or sheet (avoiding fire ants!), gather the little ones and prepare for lots of giggles. Be sure to take pictures. Raining? No problem! Move it inside.
Hand Shadow Puppet Show. I walked in on Brian’s show with two of our grands at the beach a few weeks ago. They were in awe of Brian’s masterful bunnies and hawks (we’re grateful for the awe-factor while they’re young). All you need is a dark wall and a flashlight. Not sure how to make the figures? Check this out on Pinterest.
Turn on the music…and dance. “Your royal highness, may I have the honor of this dance?” Brian asked. Piper’s facial expression was priceless. Donned in her Belle princess gown, she accepted with the grace of a real princess because, well, she is. 🙂 But we’ve also cut loose by playing The Doors while all four of us (Brian, me, Piper and Gabe) formed a dance train, moving throughout all the rooms of the house. Oh my, the laughter!
Backyard Campout. If the weather is nice, pop a tent, pull out the sleeping bags/pillows, and a lamp (those operating with LED are ideal to read by.) If possible, make a small campfire and break out the graham crackers, marshmallows, and Hershey bars. Weather not cooperating? Move it inside! The best part? You can make S’mores in the microwave. Score! Hershey has great instructions for both indoor and outdoor prep.
Fall is a magnet for fun, laughter, and the making of good memories. Let’s take hold of these moments refusing to let them slip by.
Which one of the above ideas could you see yourself enjoying the most? Or do you have another idea we can add to the list? Love it! Let’s get it posted via comments.
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
What better season to curl up with a book and a warm cup of tea than Fall? This is especially true if the book you’re reading is Emily P. Freeman’s recent release, Simply Tuesday…Small-Moment Living in a Fast-Moving World.
I’ve been a fan of Emily’s work since I read A Million Little Ways. (If you missed this post, you can read it here.)
Her voice reads as one of a friend that you could sit with and chat for hours…on a bench, of course (you’ll have to read the book!) Her message resonates with the writer within, but even more, it echoes my desire to stay in step with the Spirit, not only in the so-called big things in life, but the small as well.
Truth be told, I would’ve purchased this book simply based on the fact that I enjoy Emily’s work but its release date was no coincidence. In recent months, I’ve struggled with the word contentment and how it lines up with my life. I had peace about a certain situation but I wanted to put it to the test, if you will, by reading a book that deals with living in the now. I wanted to be awakened to the challenge, not soothed to sleep by words more comforting than a warm grilled cheese sandwich, with a side of soup. Emily delivered.
One of my favorite chapters is Community & Competition…Finding Safe Places to Feel Insecure. We all need to safe place to land. I know I do. Emily explores what this might look like if we have a proper perspective on community. As a result of this chapter, I’m praying about starting my own Tuesday Group. (I’ll keep you posted!)
Oh, how true! Wouldn’t you agree? It’s not called the comparison-trap for nothing.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone longing to live their ordinary days in extraordinary ways.
So go ahead! Download this book or grab another, pour a hot cup of tea, or brew a batch of coffee, and settle in for a true celebration of this awe-inspiring season.
Your turn! I’d love to know what book you’re currently reading. Please, share it with us. Many are searching for a good read these days. Thank you.
Congratulations Ginger Harrington! You were the randomly selected winner of the writing journal for the September drawing. Please message me your address.
